ANALYSIS OF FAULT ZONES FOR RESERVOIR MODELING IN TAA FIELD, NIGER DELTA, NIGERIA

Fault analysis is crucial in the exploration and production of hydrocarbon because it is the fault that exerts a meaningful control on the migration, entrapment and subsequent compartmentalization of hydrocarbon. Faults’ effects on hydrocarbon flow are complex. Some faults allow fluid to pass across them while some reject, which further create series of complications in the geometry of hydrocarbon reservoirs. In order to minimize the risks associated with hydrocarbons’ quantification, it is imperative to carry out analysis on the complex nature of faults supporting the traps in the subsurface which this research is aimed to achieve. The fault analysis of Taa field was done using 3D and well log data. Seven reservoirs were mapped on the field with the generation of fault-polygon and fault attributes involving throw analysis, Volume of Shale (Vshale), Shale Gouge Ratio (SGR) and Hydrocarbon Column Height (HCH) estimations. It was revealed that poor (20 to 40 %) to moderate (40 to 60 %) sealing constitute the SGR of the fault plane in the study area. The supportable HCH ranged from 55.7 to 368.4 ft while the structure-supported HCH ranged from 55.7 to 123.4 ft. The difference between the supportable and the structure-supported HCH and the model from SGR confirms that the traps are liable to leak. It was concluded that the faults on Taa field are not properly sealed